[nysbirds-l] Heckscher State Park (HSP) Shorebirds (Suffolk Co.)

[Ken Feustel]

Sue and I has a productive few hours shorebirding at HSP this morning, 
recording twelve species of shorebirds at the flooded Field 7 parking lot. 
Prior to birding Field 7, we observed a Wilson’s Snipe feeding in the puddles 
in the Field 6 picnic area with a large contingent of waterfowl that consisted 
of mostly Mallards, but also a pair of Gadwall and a lone female Pintail. At 
Field 7, we quickly picked up two American Golden Plovers among the numerous 
juvenile Black-bellied Plovers. The most numerous shorebird was Dunlin, but 
contained in the scattered groups of this species was a continuing Long-billed 
Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper (1), White-rumped Sandpiper (3), and a single 
Semipalmated Sandpiper. Rounding out the shorebirds was Greater Yellowlegs (3), 
Sanderling, Killdeer, and Semipalmated Plover (3). 

Ken & Sue Feustel
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ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Heckscher State Park (HSP) Shorebirds (Suffolk Co.)

[Ken Feustel]

Sue and I has a productive few hours shorebirding at HSP this morning, 
recording twelve species of shorebirds at the flooded Field 7 parking lot. 
Prior to birding Field 7, we observed a Wilson’s Snipe feeding in the puddles 
in the Field 6 picnic area with a large contingent of waterfowl that consisted 
of mostly Mallards, but also a pair of Gadwall and a lone female Pintail. At 
Field 7, we quickly picked up two American Golden Plovers among the numerous 
juvenile Black-bellied Plovers. The most numerous shorebird was Dunlin, but 
contained in the scattered groups of this species was a continuing Long-billed 
Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper (1), White-rumped Sandpiper (3), and a single 
Semipalmated Sandpiper. Rounding out the shorebirds was Greater Yellowlegs (3), 
Sanderling, Killdeer, and Semipalmated Plover (3). 

Ken & Sue Feustel
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
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http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Fwd:: Ipswich Sparrow Project

[Ardith Bondi]

I just saw this post from yesterday on JerseyBirds. Since I have seen 
Ipswich Sparrows on Jones Beach in winter, I thought New Yorkers could 
be helpful in finding these banded birds, as well.


Ardith Bondi


From: Colette Buchanan [mailto:colette7...@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 2:09 PM
To: Linda Mack ; llars...@mac.com
Subject: Re: Ipswich Sparrow Project - Revised Text for post to Jerseybirds



JerseyBirders:

I am forwarding this message by request from Colette Buchanan, President 
of Monmouth Audubon Society.  The researchers are a small group and are 
asking for citizens' help. Thanks so much.


Researchers at Dalhousie and Acadia Universities in Eastern Canada are 
conducting a long-term research study of Ipswich Sparrows and are 
seeking birders' help. They have banded 263 sparrows with color bands as 
part of this study, and are now asking birders on the eastern US coast 
to keep their eyes peeled for the banded birds, and to report sightings 
of them over the "winter" (Oct-May). The banded Ipswich Sparrows have 
three colored bands on the left leg and one colored band on the right 
leg (over an aluminum band). The researchers are seeking reports of the 
banded birds. Tell them where you saw the sparrow, its band colors (top 
to bottom on each leg), and the date. Please include photos if you have 
them. Reports of banded Ipswich Sparrows, can be made by email to 
 ipswichsparr...@gmail.com, on the 
Project's Facebook page (The Ipswich Sparrow Project) or by including 
the Ipswich Sparrow in an ebird report and describing the colored bands 
in the comments. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this project.










--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Fwd:: Ipswich Sparrow Project

[Ardith Bondi]

I just saw this post from yesterday on JerseyBirds. Since I have seen 
Ipswich Sparrows on Jones Beach in winter, I thought New Yorkers could 
be helpful in finding these banded birds, as well.


Ardith Bondi


From: Colette Buchanan [mailto:colette7...@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 2:09 PM
To: Linda Mack ; llars...@mac.com
Subject: Re: Ipswich Sparrow Project - Revised Text for post to Jerseybirds



JerseyBirders:

I am forwarding this message by request from Colette Buchanan, President 
of Monmouth Audubon Society.  The researchers are a small group and are 
asking for citizens' help. Thanks so much.


Researchers at Dalhousie and Acadia Universities in Eastern Canada are 
conducting a long-term research study of Ipswich Sparrows and are 
seeking birders' help. They have banded 263 sparrows with color bands as 
part of this study, and are now asking birders on the eastern US coast 
to keep their eyes peeled for the banded birds, and to report sightings 
of them over the "winter" (Oct-May). The banded Ipswich Sparrows have 
three colored bands on the left leg and one colored band on the right 
leg (over an aluminum band). The researchers are seeking reports of the 
banded birds. Tell them where you saw the sparrow, its band colors (top 
to bottom on each leg), and the date. Please include photos if you have 
them. Reports of banded Ipswich Sparrows, can be made by email to 
 ipswichsparr...@gmail.com, on the 
Project's Facebook page (The Ipswich Sparrow Project) or by including 
the Ipswich Sparrow in an ebird report and describing the colored bands 
in the comments. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this project.










--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Songbird Saver: Test New App to Help Prevent Birds from Colliding into Towers

[Frederick Kedenburg]

Dear List-serve members, FYI.



Songbird Saver : Test New App to Help Prevent 
Birds from Colliding into Towers

An estimated seven million birds die each year in North America by colliding 
with broadcast and cell towers. These birds – primarily night-flying songbirds 
on migration, such as Yellow-billed Cuckoos – are either attracted to or 
disoriented by the lighting systems, especially when night skies are overcast 
or foggy. 

Now, a website developer who loves birds has created a new app 
 to make it easy to help implement a solution. 
With Stan Weigman’s Songbird Saver, you can enter your zip code to find tall 
towers near you, then send a request to operators asking them to turn off 
steady-burning red lights. This simple change is known to reduce bird mortality 
by about 70 percent.

The SongbirdSaver app is now in testing before a larger rollout planned for 
later this year. Please give it a try, provide your feedback, and be part of a 
simple change  that will save birds in your 
community!  

(Note: Some of the data driving the app – including tower owner e-mail 
addresses – may be out of date. If you receive an email bounce-back from a 
tower operator, please print and mail your letter. Please provide your feedback 
on Songbird Saver to ABC’s Steve Holmer .)
A key factor in bird mortality at towers is height, with towers 350 feet or 
more above ground level posing the greatest threat. Elimination of non-flashing 
red lights on these towers also provides a substantial benefit to tower 
operators, who reduce electricity consumption.
Hundreds of tall towers across the U.S. have already updated their lighting to 
reduce bird collisions and reduce operating costs. The change was urged by the 
Federal Communications Commission, which launched a policy encouraging tower 
operators to adopt bird-friendly and energy-saving lighting configurations.
 
“We are seeing great progress and thank the operators of the 700+ towers that 
have updated their lighting to help reduce mortality of birds,” said Christine 
Sheppard of ABC’s Bird Collisions Program. “But there are still tens of 
thousands of tall towers across the U.S. with outdated lights. We are asking 
all tower operators to make this cost- and life-saving switch to help save 
migratory birds.”
 
 
To be removed from the list, send any message to:
abcorgs-unsubscr...@npogroups.org 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Holmer
Vice President of Policy
American Bird Conservancy &
Director, Bird Conservation Alliance
202-888-7490
shol...@abcbirds.org 
 
www.abcbirds.org 
, 
https://abcbirds.org/get-involved/bird-conservation-alliance/ 
, ABC on 
Facebook 
, ABC 
Videos 
 

 
 



--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Songbird Saver: Test New App to Help Prevent Birds from Colliding into Towers

[Frederick Kedenburg]

Dear List-serve members, FYI.



Songbird Saver : Test New App to Help Prevent 
Birds from Colliding into Towers

An estimated seven million birds die each year in North America by colliding 
with broadcast and cell towers. These birds – primarily night-flying songbirds 
on migration, such as Yellow-billed Cuckoos – are either attracted to or 
disoriented by the lighting systems, especially when night skies are overcast 
or foggy. 

Now, a website developer who loves birds has created a new app 
 to make it easy to help implement a solution. 
With Stan Weigman’s Songbird Saver, you can enter your zip code to find tall 
towers near you, then send a request to operators asking them to turn off 
steady-burning red lights. This simple change is known to reduce bird mortality 
by about 70 percent.

The SongbirdSaver app is now in testing before a larger rollout planned for 
later this year. Please give it a try, provide your feedback, and be part of a 
simple change  that will save birds in your 
community!  

(Note: Some of the data driving the app – including tower owner e-mail 
addresses – may be out of date. If you receive an email bounce-back from a 
tower operator, please print and mail your letter. Please provide your feedback 
on Songbird Saver to ABC’s Steve Holmer .)
A key factor in bird mortality at towers is height, with towers 350 feet or 
more above ground level posing the greatest threat. Elimination of non-flashing 
red lights on these towers also provides a substantial benefit to tower 
operators, who reduce electricity consumption.
Hundreds of tall towers across the U.S. have already updated their lighting to 
reduce bird collisions and reduce operating costs. The change was urged by the 
Federal Communications Commission, which launched a policy encouraging tower 
operators to adopt bird-friendly and energy-saving lighting configurations.
 
“We are seeing great progress and thank the operators of the 700+ towers that 
have updated their lighting to help reduce mortality of birds,” said Christine 
Sheppard of ABC’s Bird Collisions Program. “But there are still tens of 
thousands of tall towers across the U.S. with outdated lights. We are asking 
all tower operators to make this cost- and life-saving switch to help save 
migratory birds.”
 
 
To be removed from the list, send any message to:
abcorgs-unsubscr...@npogroups.org 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Steve Holmer
Vice President of Policy
American Bird Conservancy &
Director, Bird Conservation Alliance
202-888-7490
shol...@abcbirds.org 
 
www.abcbirds.org 
, 
https://abcbirds.org/get-involved/bird-conservation-alliance/ 
, ABC on 
Facebook 
, ABC 
Videos 
 

 
 



--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Syracuse RBA

[Joseph Brin]

*  New York*  Syracuse   
   - October 30, 2017
*  NYSY  10.30.17 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird AlertDates(s):October 23, 2017 - 
October 30, 2017to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.comcovering upstate NY 
counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refugeand Montezuma Wetlands 
Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, 
Oneida, Herkimer,  Madison & Cortlandcompiled: October 30 AT 11:00 a.m. 
(EDT)compiler: Joseph BrinOnondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org  
Greetings: This is the Syracuse Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 23, 
2017.
Highlights--
CATTLE EGRETGOLDEN EAGLENORTHERN GOSHAWKSANDHILL CRANEBLACK-CROWNED 
NIGHT-HERONCACKLING GOOSEPURPLE SANDPIPERLITTLE GULL

Montezuma National Wildlife Complex (MNWC) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex 
(MWC)
     Shorebird species was down to nine this week.     10/23: A GOLDEN EAGLE 
was seen from the Visitor’s Center.     10/28: 2 CATTLE EGRETS were seen at 
Wilgoose Field on Rt. 89. They were refound on the 29th. 32 SANDHILL CRANES 
were seen in the fields on Armitage road.

Cayuga county
     10/24: A PURPLE SANDPIPER was again seen from the east break wall at Fair 
Haven State Park.     10/28: A LITTLE GULL was seen at Fair Haven State Park 
flying with Bonaparte’s Gulls.     10/29: A PURPLE SANDPIPER was seen with a 
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and 6 DUNLIN from the east break wall  at Fair Haven State 
Park.

Onondaga County
     10/25: A CATTLE EGRET was seen from Radisson River Park (private) on the 
Oswego River south of Phoenix. It was seen again of the 27th.     10/27: 4 
juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen along the creek walk on Onondaga 
Creek north of Hiawatha Boulevard in Syracuse.

Oswego County
     10/28: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen at Derby Hill.

Madison County
     10/27: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen on Woodman Pond north of Hamilton. 

     
---end transcript
---Joseph BrinRegion 5 Baldwinsville, NY  13027  USA
  
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Syracuse RBA

[Joseph Brin]

*  New York*  Syracuse   
   - October 30, 2017
*  NYSY  10.30.17 Hotline: Syracuse Rare bird AlertDates(s):October 23, 2017 - 
October 30, 2017to report by e-mail: brinjoseph AT yahoo.comcovering upstate NY 
counties: Cayuga, Montezuma National Wildlife Refugeand Montezuma Wetlands 
Complex (MWC) (just outside Cayuga County),Onondaga, Oswego, Lewis, Jefferson, 
Oneida, Herkimer,  Madison & Cortlandcompiled: October 30 AT 11:00 a.m. 
(EDT)compiler: Joseph BrinOnondaga Audubon Homepage: www.onondagaaudubon.org  
Greetings: This is the Syracuse Rare Bird Alert for the week of October 23, 
2017.
Highlights--
CATTLE EGRETGOLDEN EAGLENORTHERN GOSHAWKSANDHILL CRANEBLACK-CROWNED 
NIGHT-HERONCACKLING GOOSEPURPLE SANDPIPERLITTLE GULL

Montezuma National Wildlife Complex (MNWC) and Montezuma Wetlands Complex 
(MWC)
     Shorebird species was down to nine this week.     10/23: A GOLDEN EAGLE 
was seen from the Visitor’s Center.     10/28: 2 CATTLE EGRETS were seen at 
Wilgoose Field on Rt. 89. They were refound on the 29th. 32 SANDHILL CRANES 
were seen in the fields on Armitage road.

Cayuga county
     10/24: A PURPLE SANDPIPER was again seen from the east break wall at Fair 
Haven State Park.     10/28: A LITTLE GULL was seen at Fair Haven State Park 
flying with Bonaparte’s Gulls.     10/29: A PURPLE SANDPIPER was seen with a 
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and 6 DUNLIN from the east break wall  at Fair Haven State 
Park.

Onondaga County
     10/25: A CATTLE EGRET was seen from Radisson River Park (private) on the 
Oswego River south of Phoenix. It was seen again of the 27th.     10/27: 4 
juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were seen along the creek walk on Onondaga 
Creek north of Hiawatha Boulevard in Syracuse.

Oswego County
     10/28: A NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen at Derby Hill.

Madison County
     10/27: A CACKLING GOOSE was seen on Woodman Pond north of Hamilton. 

     
---end transcript
---Joseph BrinRegion 5 Baldwinsville, NY  13027  USA
  
--

NYSbirds-L List Info:
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES.htm
http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm

ARCHIVES:
1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nysbirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html
2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L
3) http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY01

Please submit your observations to eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/

--

[nysbirds-l] Red & White-winged Crossbills/Pine Siskins/Boreal Chickadees/Black-backed Woodpeckers and more

[Joan Collins]

10/29/17 Long Lake (Hamilton Co.)

 

I went out briefly in light rain yesterday morning before the storm.
American Robins were feeding on berries at the inlet of Little Tupper Lake
on Sabattis Road.  Blue Jays and Dark-eyed Juncos are also still abundant.
I found 5 Grays Jay - 1 at the Round Lake Trailhead and 4 at Sabattis Bog.
I have not observed the tailless Gray Jay since I first saw it on 10/23.

 

10/28/17 North Hudson, Minerva, Newcomb (Essex Co.) and Long Lake

 

Jeff Nadler and I talked on Friday night, and we just happened to have the
same birding plans for the next morning!  We linked up for birding at Sand
Pond Marsh in North Hudson and briefly at the parking area for the railroad
bed in Minerva.  He was on a photography mission and I was looking for
crossbills so we mostly birded on our own.  At the railroad bed parking area
we also ran into Scott Varney and his sister as we were observing a family
group of Red Crossbills.  Jeff hiked north and the 3 of us hiked south on
the railroad bed a short distance.  It was after lunch time and the winds
were picking up, so I headed to Sabattis Road (my last stop), Scott headed
to the Roosevelt Truck Trail, and Jeff headed to the Boreas River Trail.  It
was a sunny morning with calm winds - terrific birding conditions.  The
views of the mist rising from all the brooks/rivers/ponds/lakes on my drive
over at dawn were spectacular.  Five finch species were found at Sand Pond
Marsh.  Here are some of the birds found:

 

Wood Duck - many at Shaw Pond in Long Lake

Ring-necked Duck - many at Shaw Pond in Long Lake

Common Merganser - 2 vocalizing females paddled by our dock on Long Lake at
sunset as a group of us enjoyed the (likely) last unusually warm evening of
the season.

Ruffed Grouse - 2 (1 on the drive and 1 in Sabattis Road)

Wild Turkey - large flock along Route 28N in Long Lake

Bald Eagle - adult flying over Long Lake

Black-backed Woodpecker - 2 (possibly 3); 1 female on Route 28N in Newcomb
just east of the intersection with the Blueridge Road (photo on Facebook) -
first bird at my first stop!; 1 calling bird flew over our cars parked along
the Blueridge Road near Sand Pond Marsh, and later, a calling bird flew over
me while at Sand Pond Marsh (could be the same bird from down the road or a
second bird).

Gray Jay - 2 birds along Route 30 in Long Lake (One of the birds has "known"
me for a long time now and comes right up to take food as I put it down.
Its relatively new mate is still a bit wary and waits until I walk away a
few steps before coming for food.)

Common Raven

Boreal Chickadee - 11; flock of 5 at Sand Pond Marsh along the Blueridge
Road and another flock of 6 down the road near our parked cars

Brown Creeper - a singing bird near the parking area for the railroad bed in
Minerva

Golden-crowned Kinglet - abundant

American Robin

Purple Finch - widespread

Red Crossbill - ~40 (This is a conservative estimate.  I heard them in many
places.  Here are numbers for observed birds: 8 at Sand Pond Marsh
(including at least 2 juveniles), 5 just east of the Boreas River bridge on
the Blueridge Road (including at least 1 juvenile), 7 at Hyslop Brook Marsh
(including at least 2 juveniles - 1 photo on my Facebook page), and 5 at the
railroad parking area on Route 28N in Minerva (a family group with 3
juveniles).  I heard flocks of Red Crossbills on the other side of the
Blueridge Road (north side) from the Sand Pond Marsh, and we heard Red
Crossbills while hiking the railroad bed.

White-winged Crossbill - one heard calling at Sand Pond Marsh (where a pair
nested this summer).

Pine Siskin - many (widespread);  The flock of 8 Red Crossbills found at
Sand Pond Marsh had one Pine Siskin trailing them and the crossbills seemed
mildly annoyed by it!

American Goldfinch - several flocks

Dark-eyed Junco - many

 

I also observed 2 different Monarch Butterflies!  I observed more this year
than I can remember in a long time.  (But still nothing like the huge
numbers of long ago.)

 

Most of my past month's observations are old now, but I wanted to note a few
observations:

 

10/16/17 - first snow of the season in Long Lake!

 

10/14/17 - I was taking a walk before dinner and heard tapping at the end of
our driveway (off Tarbell Hill Lane in Long Lake) - it was a male
Black-backed Woodpecker near the trailhead for the Northville-Placid Trail
(N).  I watched it for over an hour.  We sometimes have this species on our
property and this one was close!

 

10/11/17 - (Long Lake) Two Red Crossbills flew over our house at dawn when I
was putting out cracked corn.  Later in the day, I found a Lincoln's Sparrow
at Sabattis Bog.

 

10/10/17 - I found a migrant House Wren at Shaw Pond in Long Lake.  At the
railroad bed in Minerva, I found a Lincoln's Sparrow at the parking area,
and south on the railroad bed, a male Rusty Blackbird.

 

10/8/17 - About a mile in on the Northville-Placid Trail (S) in Long Lake, I
found a Pileated Woodpecker bouncing up 

[nysbirds-l] Red & White-winged Crossbills/Pine Siskins/Boreal Chickadees/Black-backed Woodpeckers and more

[Joan Collins]

10/29/17 Long Lake (Hamilton Co.)

 

I went out briefly in light rain yesterday morning before the storm.
American Robins were feeding on berries at the inlet of Little Tupper Lake
on Sabattis Road.  Blue Jays and Dark-eyed Juncos are also still abundant.
I found 5 Grays Jay - 1 at the Round Lake Trailhead and 4 at Sabattis Bog.
I have not observed the tailless Gray Jay since I first saw it on 10/23.

 

10/28/17 North Hudson, Minerva, Newcomb (Essex Co.) and Long Lake

 

Jeff Nadler and I talked on Friday night, and we just happened to have the
same birding plans for the next morning!  We linked up for birding at Sand
Pond Marsh in North Hudson and briefly at the parking area for the railroad
bed in Minerva.  He was on a photography mission and I was looking for
crossbills so we mostly birded on our own.  At the railroad bed parking area
we also ran into Scott Varney and his sister as we were observing a family
group of Red Crossbills.  Jeff hiked north and the 3 of us hiked south on
the railroad bed a short distance.  It was after lunch time and the winds
were picking up, so I headed to Sabattis Road (my last stop), Scott headed
to the Roosevelt Truck Trail, and Jeff headed to the Boreas River Trail.  It
was a sunny morning with calm winds - terrific birding conditions.  The
views of the mist rising from all the brooks/rivers/ponds/lakes on my drive
over at dawn were spectacular.  Five finch species were found at Sand Pond
Marsh.  Here are some of the birds found:

 

Wood Duck - many at Shaw Pond in Long Lake

Ring-necked Duck - many at Shaw Pond in Long Lake

Common Merganser - 2 vocalizing females paddled by our dock on Long Lake at
sunset as a group of us enjoyed the (likely) last unusually warm evening of
the season.

Ruffed Grouse - 2 (1 on the drive and 1 in Sabattis Road)

Wild Turkey - large flock along Route 28N in Long Lake

Bald Eagle - adult flying over Long Lake

Black-backed Woodpecker - 2 (possibly 3); 1 female on Route 28N in Newcomb
just east of the intersection with the Blueridge Road (photo on Facebook) -
first bird at my first stop!; 1 calling bird flew over our cars parked along
the Blueridge Road near Sand Pond Marsh, and later, a calling bird flew over
me while at Sand Pond Marsh (could be the same bird from down the road or a
second bird).

Gray Jay - 2 birds along Route 30 in Long Lake (One of the birds has "known"
me for a long time now and comes right up to take food as I put it down.
Its relatively new mate is still a bit wary and waits until I walk away a
few steps before coming for food.)

Common Raven

Boreal Chickadee - 11; flock of 5 at Sand Pond Marsh along the Blueridge
Road and another flock of 6 down the road near our parked cars

Brown Creeper - a singing bird near the parking area for the railroad bed in
Minerva

Golden-crowned Kinglet - abundant

American Robin

Purple Finch - widespread

Red Crossbill - ~40 (This is a conservative estimate.  I heard them in many
places.  Here are numbers for observed birds: 8 at Sand Pond Marsh
(including at least 2 juveniles), 5 just east of the Boreas River bridge on
the Blueridge Road (including at least 1 juvenile), 7 at Hyslop Brook Marsh
(including at least 2 juveniles - 1 photo on my Facebook page), and 5 at the
railroad parking area on Route 28N in Minerva (a family group with 3
juveniles).  I heard flocks of Red Crossbills on the other side of the
Blueridge Road (north side) from the Sand Pond Marsh, and we heard Red
Crossbills while hiking the railroad bed.

White-winged Crossbill - one heard calling at Sand Pond Marsh (where a pair
nested this summer).

Pine Siskin - many (widespread);  The flock of 8 Red Crossbills found at
Sand Pond Marsh had one Pine Siskin trailing them and the crossbills seemed
mildly annoyed by it!

American Goldfinch - several flocks

Dark-eyed Junco - many

 

I also observed 2 different Monarch Butterflies!  I observed more this year
than I can remember in a long time.  (But still nothing like the huge
numbers of long ago.)

 

Most of my past month's observations are old now, but I wanted to note a few
observations:

 

10/16/17 - first snow of the season in Long Lake!

 

10/14/17 - I was taking a walk before dinner and heard tapping at the end of
our driveway (off Tarbell Hill Lane in Long Lake) - it was a male
Black-backed Woodpecker near the trailhead for the Northville-Placid Trail
(N).  I watched it for over an hour.  We sometimes have this species on our
property and this one was close!

 

10/11/17 - (Long Lake) Two Red Crossbills flew over our house at dawn when I
was putting out cracked corn.  Later in the day, I found a Lincoln's Sparrow
at Sabattis Bog.

 

10/10/17 - I found a migrant House Wren at Shaw Pond in Long Lake.  At the
railroad bed in Minerva, I found a Lincoln's Sparrow at the parking area,
and south on the railroad bed, a male Rusty Blackbird.

 

10/8/17 - About a mile in on the Northville-Placid Trail (S) in Long Lake, I
found a Pileated Woodpecker bouncing up